Gig103:McDonalds ice cream cones are also liquids, according to the TSA. They were nonplussed when I argued that it would only become a liquid if the line was too long.

Also, fun fact, I was told that if my Tillamook cheese spread was not frozen, they would have confiscated it. So next time, freeze your mashed potatoes.

There is some logic to that. If they're looking to prevent oil-based solvents from getting on the plane, it's tough to get oil-based stuff to actually freeze. I assume they'd notice if you used a CO2 fire extinguisher in the line.

The only time I've ever been happy about the TSA was when somebody tried to bring on a giant mixing bowl full of soup, with only saran wrap to keep it from getting onto the other passengers. Old people really don't seem to care about other people very much.

The Jami Turman Fan Club:he only time I've ever been happy about the TSA was when somebody tried to bring on a giant mixing bowl full of soup, with only saran wrap to keep it from getting onto the other passengers. Old people really don't seem to care about other people very much.

And that would probably have been blocked from the plane even if TSA had never existed.

A video was posted earlier today by a popular celebrity tabloid showing Britney Spears traveling through airport security at LAX with a large drink cup. We checked with the airport and I'm happy to report there's nothing to see here.

Her cup had a few ice chips in it, not liquid. Ice is a solid. Therefore, ice is permitted through the checkpoint, as long as it's screened by the X-ray (Which it was).

One thing to remember when bringing ice through the checkpoint: it can't be partially melted. It has to be just the ice with no liquid at the bottom.

*** Update: 11-4-09 ***

After reading the incoming comments this morning on our blog, it was very apparent that we had left some inaccurate information on the TSA.gov web page:

"Frozen gels/liquids are permitted if required to cool medical and infant/child exemptions. Frozen gels/liquids for any other purpose are not permitted."

This information has recently changed and should have been updated. An update has been posted in its place.

***Update 11/6/2009***[...]So, why are frozen solidified items permitted when they're eventually going to melt once the passenger is in the gate area or on their flight? Good question. It is highly improbable that the explosives TSA is concerned about could be frozen by traditional means. The key word here is frozen. Not thawing. Not a slush or slurry. Frozen solid.

I've read comments saying things similar to "Huh, but you wouldn't let me bring my [Insert Frozen Item Here] before... what's the deal?" As a result of many questions from our officers on the front lines, we previously clarified the treatment of solidified liquids through internal processes. So, while something may have been prohibited by an officer in the past, it may not be now.

Typically I just bring the potato's, a microwave, salt, pepper, dehydrated butter, a bowl, and a masher through the checkpoint; make them myself from scratch right before the flight. Really convenient now that most airports have those charging stations so finding an outlet for the microwave is so much easier

JohnCarter:Typically I just bring the potato's, a microwave, salt, pepper, dehydrated butter, a bowl, and a masher through the checkpoint; make them myself from scratch right before the flight. Really convenient now that most airports have those charging stations so finding an outlet for the microwave is so much easier

Not that I want to argue, but I think an emulsion is made of 2 liquids. Mashed potatoes have a lot of liquid IN them, but it's all solid matter mixed in there.I would say that mashed taters are no more a liquid than sand is.

Nicholas D. Wolfwood:MugzyBrown: Skyd1v: FTFA: "It's 2010, and a passenger is trying to bring her live goldfish through security. One of my co-workers informs her that the fish can go through but the water cannot."

Comedy gold right there.

Can a goldfish survive in some mystery exploding liquid?

I think the fact that there's a live goldfish in there is evidence it's safe.

You can take anything you want on a plane as long as you bought it inside the terminal, past security. I set next to a woman on a Vegas flight who had a whole plate of baby-back ribs, sauce, coleslaw, and a corn on the cob that was on a pointy wooden stick. No one cared until she started washing it down with swigs from a bottle of Cognac that she got from the Duty Free store. The attendant confiscated her bottle and would not give it back when the plane landed.

I can fool the TSA a few weeks ago I had these fried mashed potatos. They were awesome, crispy on the outside gooey mashed potato goodness on the inside, with a dipping sauce that could be called a liquid.